At first glance, Africa’s unemployment data tells a confusing story. Some of the continent’s poorest countries report impressively low unemployment, while stronger economies with better infrastructure and higher GDPs struggle with high jobless rates. The contradiction is striking and it raises a deeper question: what do these numbers really measure?
Beneath the surface lies a complex mix of informal work, shifting definitions, fragile social systems, and economies that often operate outside official channels. In this article, we unravel the data behind unemployment rates across Africa, ranking countries from the most to the least unemployed.
Niger – 0.4%
Burundi – 0.93%
Chad – 1.1%
Togo – 1.9%
Seychelles – 2.0%
Côte d'Ivoire – 2.3%
Guinea-Bissau – 2.6%
Liberia – 2.9%
Sierra Leone – 3.1%
Ethiopia – 3.5%
Namibia – 36.9%
South Africa – 32.9%
Angola – 30.8%
Lesotho – 30.1%
Djibouti – 25.9%
Eswatini – 24.65%
Congo – 21.3%
Senegal – 20.0%
Libya – 18.6%
Tunisia – 15.7%
The data presented come from reputable sources such as the World Bank, national statistical agencies, and labour force surveys. Definitions of employment and unemployment are generally consistent but vary slightly by country, highlighting the importance of contextual understanding when comparing rates.
|
Country |
Unemployment rate (%) |
|
Algeria |
12.3% |
|
Angola |
30.8% |
|
Benin |
1.45% |
|
Botswana |
27.6% |
|
Burkina Faso |
5.3% |
|
Burundi |
0.93%% |
|
Cabo Verde |
8.5% |
|
Cameroon |
3.5% |
|
Central African Republic |
5.9% |
|
Chad |
1.1% |
|
Comoros |
6.5% |
|
Congo |
21.3% |
|
Cote d'Ivoire |
2.3% |
|
Democratic Republic of Congo |
4.6% |
|
Djibouti |
25.9% |
|
Egypt |
6.6% |
|
Equatorial Guinea |
9.0% |
|
Eritrea |
5.6% |
|
Eswatini |
24.65% |
|
Ethiopia |
3.5% |
|
Gabon |
20.1% |
|
Gambia |
9.4% |
|
Ghana |
11.5% |
|
Guinea |
5.2% |
|
Guinea Bissau |
2.6% |
|
Kenya |
4.9% |
|
Lesotho |
30.1% |
|
Liberia |
2.9% |
|
Libya |
18.6% |
|
Madagascar |
1.8% |
|
Malawi |
5.0% |
|
Mali |
5.7% |
|
Mauritania |
10.4% |
|
Mauritius |
6.0% |
|
Morocco |
13.3% |
|
Mozambique |
3.5% |
|
Namibia |
36.9% |
|
Niger |
0.4% |
|
Nigeria |
5.3% |
|
Rwanda |
11.1% |
|
Sao Tome |
9.2% |
|
Senegal |
20.0% |
|
Seychelles |
2.0% |
|
Sierra Leone |
3.1% |
|
Somalia |
11.9% |
|
South Africa |
32.9% |
|
South Sudan |
12.5% |
|
Sudan |
7.5% |
|
Tanzania |
9.3% |
|
Togo |
1.9% |
|
Tunisia |
15.7% |
|
Uganda |
2.9% |
|
Zambia |
12.6% |
|
Zimbabwe |
8.6% |
Population: 47,435,312
Definition of employment: People aged 15 and over who worked at least one hour during the reference week for pay or profit; Or who had a job but were temporarily absent.
Definition of unemployment: People aged 15 and over who were not employed during the reference week, but were available to work, And were actively seeking work.
Source: World Bank
Population: 39,040,039
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 and above who worked for pay or profit as an employee, self-employed, or in a family business, or were engaged in production for their own consumption
Definition of unemployment: Persons who did not have paid employment or any other work, or were available to work during the reference period.
Source: Angolan Employment Survey Q1 2025
Population: 14,814,460
Definition of employment: People aged 15-64 who have worked at least some hours during the reference period in paid jobs or running their own businesses. Those working less than 35 hours per week are also considered employed.
Definition of unemployment: Persons who do not have paid employment or any other work but are available and willing to work during the reference period or soon after.
Source: Statista
Population: 2,562,122
Definition of employment: Persons who worked at least 1 hour during the reference week (paid/self-employed); or temporarily absent.
Definition of unemployment: Persons not employed during the reference week, actively looked for work in the last 30 days (reference month), and available to start a job or business.
Source: Statistics Botswana
Population: 23,400,000
Definition of employment: Persons aged 16 years and above who, during the reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services in exchange for pay or profit.
Definition of unemployment: Persons of working age not employed during the reference period, but available for work, and actively seeking work.
Source: National Baseline Survey on Employment and the Informal Sector
Population: 14,390,003
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 - 64 who are engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work or temporarily absent from a job.
Definition of unemployment: Persons who are willing and able to work for remuneration, have actively sought work in the past four weeks during the reference week but have been unable to find a job.
Source: Statista
Population: 527,326
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 years and above who worked for at least one hour in a week, either paid or unpaid like family business during the reference week.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 years and above currently without work, but actively searching for employment.
Source: World Economics
Population: 29,879,337
Definition of employment: Active population working formally or informally, in legal and productive activities.
Definition of unemployment: Did not work not even 1 hour in 7 days before the survey, actively searched, and available for work. It also includes those who want to work, but have stopped looking because they believe no jobs are available.
Source: World Bank
Population: 5,513,282
Definition of employment: Persons of working age engaged in any economic activity for pay or profit during the reference week.
Definition of unemployment: Not engaged in economic activity, but available and actively seeking work.
Source: World Bank
Population: 21,003,705
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15-64 engaged in any activity for pay or profit during the reference period. It also includes those temporarily absent from a job.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15-64 who have no job, willing and able to work, or actively looking for employment.
Source: World Bank
Population: 882,847
Definition of employment: People of working age who performed any work at all for pay or profit during the past four weeks 1– even one hour of paid work – or 15 hours of work not for pay. Included in such unpaid employment is work on family farms or in family businesses.
Definition of unemployment: People of working age who were not employed during the reference period; actively looked for work in the last four weeks prior; or did not actively look for work at all.
Source: African Development Bank
Population: 6,484,437
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15-64 engaged in productive activities for pay or profit, during the reference week.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15-64 who are currently not working but are willing and able to work, actively searching for work, and available to work for pay.
Source: Macrotrends
Population: 32,711,547
Definition of employment: Persons of working age engaged in paid work or self-employment for at least one hour per week.
Definition of unemployment: Not engaged in economic activity, but available and actively seeking work.
Source: World Bank
Population: 112,832,473
Definition of employment: People of working age occupying a paid job, regardless of whether it was filled through ONEMO (the National Employment Office) or otherwise.
Definition of unemployment: People of working age actively seeking work including those who have formally submitted a job application to an employer or public agency like ONEMO.
Source: CIA
Population: 1,184,076
Definition of employment: Persons of 16 years and above who performed at least one hour of paid work during the reference week OR were temporarily absent from their job.
Definition of unemployment: 16 years and above who are not employed, available to work, and actively searched for a job during the reference period.
Source: World Bank
Population: 118,365,995
Definition of employment: Wage earners and self-employed individuals who have been engaged in work activities during the reference period.
Definition of unemployment: People of working age without a job; actively seeking work, and available to work during the reference period.
Source: Central Agency for Public Mobilization (CAPMAS)
Population: 1,938,431
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15-64 working for pay or profit, or were absent from work due to temporary reasons, within the reference period
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15-64 who are not working, but are available to work and have actively sought employment in the past four weeks of the reference period.
Source: World Bank
Population: 3,607,003
Definition of employment: People aged between 14-64 years who worked for more than 40 hours per week.
Definition of unemployment: People who did not have a job; actively seeking employment but unable to find it for a period of one year.
Source: World Bank
Population: 1,256,174
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 and above who, during a specified short reference period of one week, performed some work, even if only for one hour, for wage, salary, profit or family gain, in cash or in kind; were temporarily absent from a job in which they had already worked and to which they maintained a formal attachment; or were temporarily absent from work in an enterprise they own for some specific reason.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 and above who during the reference period, were without work; currently available to work during the reference period; and had taken specific steps during the past four weeks to look for employment.
Source: BusinessDay
Population: 135,472,051
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15-64 engaged in productive activities for pay or profit, including various forms of work like paid employment, volunteering, and own-use production.
Definition of unemployment: Persons not currently employed but are actively seeking work and available to work at the prevailing wage rate. It also include those discouraged from looking for work but still wants to work.
Source: Statista
Population: 2,593,130
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 to 64 engaged in activities pay or profit, even if they are temporarily absent from work or have a working-time arrangement.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 to 64 who are available for work, actively seeking work, and are without work.
Source: World Bank
Population: 2,822,093
Definition of employment: Persons within the economically active population who have worked for at least one hour over the reference period for pay (remuneration), profit or family gain.
Definition of unemployment: Persons of working age within the economically active population who are without work, are available for work and are actively seeking work.
Source: Unemployment rate (LU1), Urban by Gmbia Bureau of Statistics
Population: 35,064,272
Definition of employment: Individuals 15 years and older, who engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit (either in cash or in kind) during the reference period. Within the reference period (7 days preceding the interview), these persons could be “at work” or “not at work” due to temporary absence.
Definition of unemployment: Individuals 15 years and older, who in the seven days preceding the reference date did not work and did not have work to go back to; and were available to work.
Source: Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES) Q4 2022 Labour Statistics Report
Population: 14,190,612
Definition of employment: People aged 15 and above working for pay or profit during the reference period.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 and above not engaged in economic activity, but available and actively seeking work.
Source: World Bank
Population: 2,249,515
Definition of employment: People aged 15 - 64 who work for pay or profit during the reference period.
Definition of unemployment: People aged 15 - 64 not employed during the reference week, are available to work within the next two weeks, and have either actively sought work in the past four weeks or have a valid reason for not seeking work.
Source: World Bank
Population: 57,532,493
Definition of employment: Individuals who worked for pay, profit, or family gain during the reference period. This includes both full-time and part-time workers, as well as those in informal or family employment. It also includes persons in time-related underemployment. Those working fewer hours than they are willing and available to work.
Definition of unemployment: Individuals who are without work, are actively seeking employment, and are available to start work.
Source: MyJobMag
View 2025 Kenya Job Search Report
Population: 2,363,325
Definition of employment: Persons who worked for pay or profit for at least one hour during the reference week.
Definition of unemployment: Persons who have not worked at all in the reference week but were available to take up job/business within the next two weeks and were actively seeking job/business in the past four weeks.
Source: Lesotho Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey 2024
Population: 5,731,206
Definition of employment: People aged 15 - 64 who are in a paid job for at least one hour a week, or those who were temporarily absent from a job due to reasons like vacation or illness.
Definition of unemployment: People aged 15- 64 who are not in a paid job but are actively looking for work, and are available to take up work.
Source: World Bank
Population: 7,458,555
Definition of employment: People aged 15 - 64 who were working in the week during the reference period.
Definition of unemployment: People who desired to work and were seeking work, whether they had worked before or not.
Source: World Bank
Population: 32,740,678
Definition of employment: Persons working during the reference period or temporarily absent from a job due to considerable reasons.
Definition of unemployment: Persons willing and able to work but do not have a paid job.
Source: African Development Bank
Population: 22,216,120
Definition of employment: People who have worked at least one hour in the previous seven days or if they are on personal or sick leave during the reference period.
Definition of unemployment: People who did not work at all in the previous seven days during the reference period; are available to take up work in the next two weeks; have actively sought work in the previous four weeks or have been waiting for a job offer.
Source: World Bank
Population: 25,198,821
Definition of employment: People aged 15-64 engaged in producing goods or services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or temporarily absent.
Definition of unemployment: People without work, currently available for work, and actively seeking employment.
Source: National Institute of Statistics Mali
Population: 5,315,065
Definition of employment: People aged 14 and 64 who performed any economic activity (either salaried or self-employed) during the reference period. This includes both formal and informal work.
Definition of unemployment: People aged 14 and 64 years who do not hold a salaried or non-salaried job; are available to work immediately or within the next 15 days.
Source: World Bank
Population: 1,268,280
Definition of employment: People aged 16 years and above who have worked for pay, profit or family gain for at least one hour during the reference week of a month. It also includes those who are temporarily absent from work for reasons such as leave with pay, leave without pay and temporary disorganisation of work.
Definition of unemployment: People aged 16 years and above who are not working but who are actively looking for work and are available for work during the reference period.
Source: Statistics Mauritius
Population: 38,430,770
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 years or older and engaged in economic activity, whether paid or unpaid.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 years or older without work; actively seeking employment, and available to work.
Source: Ministry of High Commission for Planning
Population: 35,631,653
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 and above engaged in any income-generating activity, including informal and subsistence work.
Definition of unemployment: Persons not working, available to work, and actively looking for employment.
Source: World Bank
Population: 2,601,143
Definition of employment: People aged 15 and over engaged in any activity to produce goods or services for pay, profit, or family gain.
Definition of unemployment: Individuals not working, actively seeking a job, and available to begin work.
Source: Namibia Statistics Agecy
Population: 27,917,831
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 - 64 actively working in a job or undertaking a work-related activity for pay or profit, whether during the reference period or due to a temporary absence from a job or a work-time arrangement.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 - 64 who are not engaged in a job, but available and actively seeking work.
Source: World Bank
Population: 237,527,782
Definition of employment: Engaged in any paid activity for at least 1 hour per week for pay or profit, including formal and informal workers.
Definition of unemployment: Not working at all during the reference week, but available and actively seeking work.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics
View 2025 Nigeria Job Search Report
Population: 14,569,341
Definition of employment: People aged 16 years and over who work for pay or profit during the reference period.
Definition of unemployment: People aged 16 years and above without employment, actively seeking and available for employment during the reference period.
Source: National Institute of Statistics Rwanda Labour Force Survey 2025
Population: 240,254
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 - 64 participating in any form of paid or profit work during the reference period.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 - 64 currently not working but are willing and able to work for pay. It also includes those actively seeking work, and available to start work.
Source: World Bank
Population: 18,931,966
Definition of employment: Persons of working age (15 years and older) who are currently working. It however excludes family helpers. That is,those in a family business, farm, or household activity; do not receive a salary or wage, and are not formally employed.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 and above who was not working during the reference period; was available to work within two weeks, and had actively sought work during the four weeks prior to the survey. It also includes those who are not working and have not actively looked for work due to reasons beyond their control.
Source: National Agency of Statistics and Demography
Population: 132,779
Definition of employment: Individuals of working age (15+) engaged in any economic activity to produce goods or provide services for pay, profit or family gain for at least one hour during the reference week of the survey month. It also includes the population 'not at work' during the reference week due to temporary absence or working-time arrangements, who nevertheless have an attachment to the job.
Definition of unemployment: Individuals of working age (15+) who during the reference period were not in employment and was actively looking for work or start a business. It also includes those available to start working.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics Seychelles Labour Force Survey 2024
Population: 8,819,794
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 - 64 working during the reference period either for pay or profit or as unpaid family workers.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 - 64 who are not working; are available to work; and have actively looked for work during the reference period.
Source: World Bank
Population: 19,654,739
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15 - 64 engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit including wages, salaries, or income from market-based self-employment.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15 - 64 who are not employed, but are part of the labour force meaning they are available for work and actively seeking employment.
Source: Multidimensional Poverty Index Report 2024 by Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Population: 64,747,319
Definition of employment: Individuals aged 15–64 who did any work for at least one hour during the reference week, or had a job or business but were temporarily absent.
Definition of unemployment: Individuals who did not work at all in the seven days prior to the reference week, who want to work and are available to start work within a week, and who actively looked for work or tried to start a business in the past four weeks.
Source: MyJobMag
Population: 12,188,788
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15-64 actively engaged in any economic activity for pay or profit.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15-64 who are not engaged in economic activity, but available and actively seeking work. South Sudan also recognizes those neither employed nor actively seeking employment, known as the economically inactive population.
Source: World Bank
Population: 51,662,147
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15-64 who worked during the reference period typically one week for at least one hour for pay, profit, in-kind compensation, or as part of a family business, regardless of whether it was paid or unpaid. This includes both self-employment and unpaid family work.
Definition of unemployment: Persons who did not work during the reference period and were actively seeking work or available for work during that time.
Source: World Bank
Population: 70,545,865
Definition of employment: Work for at least one hour during the reference period, excludes persons marginally attached to self-employment activities.
Definition of unemployment: Not engaged in economic activity, but available and actively seeking work.
Source: Integrated Labour Force Survey by National Bureau of Statistics Tanzania
Population: 9,721,608
Definition of employment: Individuals of working age who are engaged in activities to produce goods or services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or temporarily absent from work.
Definition of unemployment: Without work, currently available for work, and actively seeking employment.
Source: World Bank
Population: 12,348,573
Definition of employment: People aged 15 and above who are working, either for a wage or as self-employed, and are actively participating in the labour market.
Definition of unemployment: Individuals who are without work, available to take up work, and actively seeking employment.
Source: National Institute of Statistics Tunisia
Population: 51,384,894
Definition of employment: People aged 15 and above who are engaged paid employment, self-employment, and unpaid family work.
Definition of unemployment: People aged 15 and above without work, available for work, and actively seeking work during the reference period.
Source: World Bank
Population: 21,913,874
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15-64 with jobs that provide cash income which can be either full-time or part-time.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15-64 who were completely jobless though available for work or were actively looking for work.
Source: Zambia Statistics 2022 Labour Force Survey
Population: 16,950,795
Definition of employment: Persons aged 15-65 years who worked for at least one hour for cash or in kind in the week preceding the labour survey.
Definition of unemployment: Persons aged 15-65 years without a job and have been actively seeking work within the past four weeks.
Source: World Bank
Unemployment in Africa remains a complex and uneven issue. While some countries show very low rates, it still reflects high levels of informal or vulnerable employment rather than real job security. However, one thing is clear: unemployment in Africa underscores the need for comprehensive policy interventions that foster economic diversification, enhance workforce skills, and promote inclusive growth.
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